Quick Review (LP): This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem

Really didn’t want to like this one, but you see that I do. Hands down one of the best records this year. The scale reminds me of the truly great massive pop classics of the early 80’s, stuff by folks like Talking Heads and Michael Jackson. The most impressive thing is the epic-ness of this pop music. Most of these songs are long, but I think that’s due more to Murphy’s sense of structure than anything else. These are songs that take you somewhere, from a tantalizing beginning right on through to a stadium-sized climax. Plus, these songs are fun and catchy right to the core. I’d say that with this one, Murphy has become one of pop music’s doctors. He gets the utter silliness and the sheer thrill of it all from track to track, and I’d be willing to bet that he’s one of the best frontmen that we’ve seen in some time. All in all, This Is Happening is one of those records that I’m going to need to really dive into, not because I don’t get it, but because I really think I do.

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SGB is a music review blog. I keep it short and to the point. I mostly cover rock, usually of the indie, classic, or punk variety. All readers are encouraged to respond to my reviews with approval, dissent, etc. You think I missed something about a record? Speak ya mind!

Initial Reactions (2012) Ratings System

A: Impressive. Among the year's best.B: Decent. May be a grower.C: Blah. Another brick in the wall.D: Offends, grates, and/or bores.F: Monumentally bad. Imagine if Justin Beiber fronted Creed.